Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


 OPINION 
1

Handicapping Last-Minute Bush Pardons

Scooter Libby? Alberto Gonzales? The entire CIA? Speculation swirls

Share

(Newser) – President Bush has shown no inclination to go on a Clinton-esque pardon binge, but that won't stop Josh Gerstein of Politico from speculating. Here are the potential pardon/commutation prospects, and the odds:

  • All CIA and military interrogators: Bush could make a big splash with a blanket pardon to anyone who may or may not have tortured suspects in the war on terror. But it’d be legally tricky and enrage many. Odds: 4 to 1

  • I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby: Bush already saved him from prison. Does he want to drag the Valerie Plame case back into the news? Odds: 1 to 2.
  • Alberto Gonzales: It’s a decent bet Bush’ll pardon his ex-minion, under multiple investigations for his activities as attorney general. Odds: 1 to 1
  • Randall “Duke” Cunningham: He’s got prostate cancer, and he’s old, but Bush once called his crimes “outrageous.” Odds: 50 to 1
  For more, click the link below.

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush walk across the South Lawn as they arrive at the White House yesterday.
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush walk across the South Lawn as they arrive at the White House yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, leaves federal court in Washington, March 6, 2007.
Former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, leaves federal court in Washington, March 6, 2007.   (AP Photo)
In this May 8, 2007, file photo, then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales addresses the Detroit Economic Club in Dearborn, Mich.
In this May 8, 2007, file photo, then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales addresses the Detroit Economic Club in Dearborn, Mich.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
1 comment
VIEWING:
 
Mad
Jan 19, 09 6:36 PM CST
On one hand - Obama has signaled he wants to look forward, and not actively investigate the MANY crimes of the Bush WH, so Bush doesn't need to pardon each and every criminal .... But on the other hand, if Bush thinks he is in the clear and doesn't pardon some criminals, Pelosi can pounce! Decisions, decisions! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

261 Stories

Cheney on Plame Leak:
I Can't Recall

VP comes up blank on specifics in newly released interview

Oct 30, 09 6:02 PM CDT
(Newser) - After years of effort by the Bush and Obama administrations to keep documents related to the CIA leak case secret, redacted portions of the special prosecutor’s 2004 interview with Dick Cheney released today show plenty of nothing. The then-VP apparently suffered acute memory loss: Cheney told Patrick Fitzgerald he... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • Dick Cheney • CIA • Department of Justice • Valerie Plame • Patrick Fitzgerald • Joseph Wilson • CIA leak investigation • Lewis Scooter Libby • Obama administration • Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics • Central Intelligence Agency

 Obama Lifts HIV+ Travel Ban 

President extends bill funding care for low-income HIV/AIDS patients

Oct 30, 09 1:25 PM CDT
(Newser) - HIV-positive individuals will no longer be banned from visiting or immigrating to the US, President Obama announced today. The president discussed the revocation of the ban, which has stood since 1987, at today's signing of an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS bill. That bill provides funding for HIV/AIDS testing... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • travel • HIV • HIV/AIDS • US Congress • George W. Bush • Obama administration • HIV travel ban • President Obama • Ryan White

Charles Krauthammer

Time to Act Presidential on Afghanistan

After 'yearlong drift,' Obama can't keep passing buck to Bush

Oct 30, 09 11:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama loves to blame things on George W. Bush, and on Monday he did it again, referring to the “long years of drift in Afghanistan.” He must be trying to “explain away his own, well, yearlong drift on Afghanistan,” writes Charles Krauthammer . In March, Obama... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • Bush administration • Barack Obama • Iraq war • George W. Bush • Afghanistan war • Obama administration • President Obama • Charles Krauthammer • counterinsurgency

261 Stories


How about ... Roger Clemens?
ESPN

Actual betting heavy on Libby pardon
Huffington Post

Maybe Bush should pardon himself
Daily Beast


Politics  •  Crime & Courts  •  Opinion 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Bush administration • Alberto Gonzales • presidential pardon • Lewis Scooter Libby • pardon • harsh interrogation • George W. Bush

from our news partners